Barrel length choice for clays

[Si-Bore]

Hey guys

What barrel choice is normally the recommended for clay shooting? Would 30" be a good all-round length. I realise the extra length gives a better swing through sometimes but also adds to pointability at medium to longer targets but does it affect close range fast crossers? i.e. not being able to gather momentum quick enough to get ahead of the clay. Or does it not make much difference?

 

Thanks

Si

[WGD]

Depends on the discipline you want to shoot, if you want to do a bit of everything then 30" would be best IMO. If you want to concentrate on trap disciplines (DTL, ABT etc), then a 32" trap gun would be the gun to have but if you want to shoot skeet then 28" or even 26" barrels would be best for the "quick swing".

 

I have 30" barrels as 1) i only have one gun and 2) i'm not good enough at either skeet or trap shooting to warrant a gun specifically for these disciplines.

 

Hope this is of some use.

 

Edit to say: of course, it also depends what you like the feel of and what fits you and your size best.

 

Cheers

 

WGD

Edited March 26, 2008 by wgd

[Si-Bore]

Sporting clays most likely.

Cheers

Si

[CEREALTHRILLER]

i'm not good enough at either skeet or trap shooting

I'm not saying a word mate :blink:

Edited March 27, 2008 by CEREALTHRILLER

[berettaman1]

It really depends with what you feel most comfortable with, If you are a big tall guy then you would not be happy with a 26" or 28" barrel length, As suggested 30" barrels will cover most, if not all diciplines, 32" barrels are favored by the top Sporting shooters, but there are many more who shoot the 30". Get yourself down to a good Registered ground, ask about, explain why you need information and why, most clayshooters will let you have a go with their guns usually on the pool shoot!, and the bonus is you wont have to clean it after!

[clayman]

For the average to taller bloke, 30" ( or the metric equiv of 29 1/2" as my sporting barrels for my Perrazi are) is a good and popular choice.

 

Guns with this barrel length tend to hold value better and resale is easier, but if you like 28" and get on with them this was the norm until about 10 yrs ago and there are some very good 2nd hand buys on 28" as a result. Older premium guns with 28" can be a bargain.

 

Everything you say (and others agree with) is correct - longer barrels give greater pointability - a smoother swing on distant targets.

 

Conversely, fast targets as in skeet and particularly Olympic Skeet need to get moving fast and the inertial wt of long barrels can be a handicap. Theres always some-one you can quote who does 100 str with 34", but they are the exception.

 

For fast targets, 28" is fine, and again, great premium guns about 10yrs or more older with 26" skeet barrels go for a song.

 

My answer to barrel length is buy an action that receives any barrel in the makers series. Thats why I shoot Perrazi - with two stocks, two actions, and three barrels 28" ported skeet; 30"ish teagued M/C; and 1/2 3/4 high rib trap - all interchangeable, I can set up a gun for the shoot in hand in just the time it takes to assemble the three components, and even though one barrel set is M/C, I usually change barrels on a stand not choke, to suit a target type.

 

Clayman